Manila, March 11 -- The Philippines and the United States (US) have agreed to strengthen their defense cooperation and collaborate to ensure a "stable and secure" Indo-Pacific region.

The commitment was made during President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s meeting with US Undersecretary of War for Policy Eldridge Colby and his delegation on Monday (New York time), which marked the start of the Chief Executive's two-day working visit here.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said the meeting focused on efforts to accelerate the two nations' defense partnership amid evolving security challenges in the Indo-Pacific.

The two nations also renewed their commitment to the Mutual Defense Treaty, which serves as th...